Alternate Text

THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MODEL (FDM)

IMPLEMENTING THE MODEL

USA Football has tools to help you start and scale the model within your organization.

 

blue-background

ENROLLMENT IS THE FIRST STEP

 

Getting started with the Football Development Model (FDM) is easy. Enroll your organization USA Football to access free resources and tools to help you start and scale the model within your league.

 

From operational resources for various game types and ways to play, rulebooks and playbooks to the League Excellence Program and grants eligibility, enrollment is a great way to kickoff your implementation of the FDM.

 

LEARN ABOUT ENROLLMENT

lep game type chart
fb_field_bg
progression-graphic

BUILDING SKILLS THE RIGHT WAY

 

Based on progressions, the model is designed to make the game safer by reducing contact and teaching the game based on an athlete's age, the skill they are learning, and game type.

 

Progressions are a step-by-step approach to teaching which makes it easier for young athletes to grasp a skill. Each progression is developed and evaluated to ensure it is logical, repeatable and transferable for every stage and game-type.


“We've implemented the Football Development Model and we saw it as a way to enhance our game, as a way to offer football to a wider audience and basically a way to just make the game better for everybody.”

Ray Turpin
PRESIDENT OF THE NIAGARA ERIE YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION (N.Y.)
Top Left GORRINGE

JEFF GORRINGE
GENERAL MANAGER, UTE CONFERENCE (UTAH)
Top Right derick grant

DERICK GRANT
FLAG COACH, FRISCO FOOTBALL LEAGUE (TEXAS)

GAME TYPES FOR EVERY ATHLETE

From flag to traditional tackle, USA Football has outlined the progression of game types to give leagues and players options to share and play the game. These game types, in addition to the skill and age progressions, help reduce contact and make the game safer.

 

BRINGING PLAYERS BACK

Implementing-PuttingKidsFirst-LeftImg

PUTTING THE ATHLETE FIRST

 

Keeping football fun and dynamic continues to capture the imaginations of young athletes. When you implement the Football Development Model in your organization, you’re creating an environment for athletes to learn and love the sport.

 

From non-contact to limited contact to full contact, there are more ways to play and more reasons to stay.


STAGE SUMMARIES

5+ Discover & Play

Athletes who are new to football need the opportunity to explore the game and play multiple positions in a fun, positive environment.

 

At this level, the focus should be on games, activities and fun competitions that encourage athletes to play and see if they like football. Wins and losses are not as important as athletes enjoying their experiences.

 

A fun introduction to the sport makes it more likely that athletes will want to continue playing. USA Football's First Down Program is a great way to introduce the game.


 

5+ PLAY & DEVELOP

Athletes who are younger and/or new to football need to learn basic movement skills such as running, jumping, kicking, throwing and catching.

 

Athletes are still deciding if they enjoy the sport at this stage, so teams should create a fun, active setting with games and mini-competitions.

 

It's all about giving the athletes opportunities to enjoy football over wins and losses.


 

8+ DEVELOP & ACHIEVE

At this stage, athletes begin to learn and control their movement skills.

 

Fun practices and games will be key for athletes to better understand their agility, balance, coordination, and speed.

 

Coaches and parents/guardians should focus less on the final score and more on congratulating athletes for learning basic football and life skills, such as getting better, overcoming challenges, the game's rules and teamwork.


 

11+ ACHIEVE & ADVANCE

Football may be one of an athlete's primary sports by this stage.

 

It's time for players to begin combining the technical football skills they previously learned with new tactics. Coaches may begin introducing more position-specific skills and more advanced concepts and schemes.

 

The athletes have a firm understanding of teamwork and know how to learn from their mistakes.


 

12+ ADVANCE & COMPETE

By this stage, athletes will be looking for more competitive football settings. As they move through puberty, athletes develop more strength, speed and other movement skills that help them build position-specific skills.

 

Players test themselves in games with more complex strategies and athletic movements. Coaches and parents/guardians helping players think, feel and behave as teams is a crucial part of this stage

 

It's important for players to continue developing as individuals and teammates on and off the field.


 

17+ COMPETE & EXCEL

Athletes at this stage, are likely preparing for the highest levels of competition in football. There is a greater emphasis on tactics, schemes, and football knowledge at this stage.

 

Athletes start mastering position-specific techniques and seek opportunities to elevate their performance on and off the field. They might begin giving back to the community by assisting coaches in local youth programs.

 

Competitive opportunities, like playoffs and championships, will be more formal at this stage than the ones covered previously.

 


 

18+ EXCEL FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE

Athletes are at the highest competitive levels of football. Athletes at this stage spend significant parts of their daily lives training and competing to win.

 

Players have mastered the game and likely have enough football knowledge to teach the sport to others.

 

The focus at this stage shifts to mental aspects of the game, refining, position-specific skills and resting and recovering to meet the demands of the competitive environment.


 

IMPACTING YOUR FOOTBALL COMMUNITY

bottom - manuel fraga

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR COACHES

 

Coaches are the ones that bring the principles of the model to athletes and drive the change. That’s why we need to equip them with the knowledge, confidence and ability to properly bring the model to life.  

 

This model offers the most immersive educational resources football has ever seen, allowing coaches to cover every aspect of a young person’s development and deliver the best experience for their athletes. 

 

COACH EDUCATION RESOURCES


WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR PARENTS

 

Parents have concerns about football and have other options for their children. The model is football reimagined and offers an exciting opportunity for your program. Leagues that adopt the model will offer a great athlete experience and the opportunity that families seek.

 

Additionally, youth organizations that enroll will receive best practices to help them communicate with parents and promote their leagues.


Implementing-Parents-LeftImg

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

USA Football is introducing the League Excellence Program to recognize youth leagues based on how they operate against best practices established by USA Football. Leagues will receive benefits based on the level they achieve, including increased support and recognition from USA Football. Enrolling your organization with USA Football is the step towards eligibility, so enroll now and get started.

 
Pilot League Map

LEAGUES THAT IMPLEMENTED THE MODEL

 

USA Football worked with several organizations on a pilot basis to test and improve the model in 2019.

 

During the process, USA Football obtained feedback from all major stakeholders in the game - parents, coaches and administrators. This close-up, local engagement helped us discover new ways to connect families with standout youth leagues.